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GMC Prep Middle School Brings Shrek the Musical Jr. to Life

GMC Prep Brings Iconic Characters to Life! 

GMC Prep Middle School students lit up the stage with their vibrant production of Shrek the Musical Jr. at the NewDay USA Center for Leadership. The play ran from Friday, January 24th - Sunday, January 26th, totalling four amazing performances. Under the dedicated direction of MAJ Jenny Morris and LTC Mark Weaver, the young cast delivered an unforgettable performance filled with laughter, energy, and heartfelt storytelling. Despite winter weather disruptions moving dress rehearsals and the Thursday performance, the show went on—proving that nothing could dampen the enthusiasm of these talented students.

With over half of GMC Prep’s 6th-8th grade students involved, Shrek the Musical Jr. showcased our school’s deep commitment to the arts. The production featured two separate casts, each performing twice, allowing more students to shine on stage.

For eighth grader Zach Wilson, who played the title role of Shrek in the 8th Grade performance, this production was particularly special.

 “The play symbolizes that everyone is different, but that doesn’t mean everyone isn’t important. Everyone’s uniqueness comes together to create something big—just like we did with this show," said Zach, a theater veteran since The Lion King in fifth grade, credits GMC Prep’s strong support for the arts as a key part of his experience.

 “I love that our school puts so much into this program," he said, "We can now perform at a much larger scale in the Center for Leadership, which lets us do bigger sets and more complex stage work.”

Overcoming Challenges and Building Bonds

For seventh grader Izabella Whitehead, playing Donkey was a perfect fit. Having previously starred as Genie in Aladdin Jr., she has a love for comedic, high-energy roles with strong singing parts.


“Donkey is fun, bubbly, and the comedic relief of the show. He helps move the story along with the dragon and brings a dynamic energy to the stage,” Izabella explained.


She also reflected on the challenges of preparing for the show with unexpected weather delays, “We lost a few dress rehearsals, but we’re still bringing peak performances. It just meant we had to make every rehearsal count.”


Meanwhile, eighth grader Tabitha Garcia, who took on the role of Dragon, embraced the challenge of portraying a powerful and dramatic character. “I wanted to bring something deeper to the role. I put my own twist on it to add more character and energy,” she shared.


Her performance was enhanced by the impressive dragon puppet, operated by a team of five students. The large-scale prop was one of many elements that would have been impossible in the school’s previous performance space. “The Center of Leadership gives us so much more room for big set pieces and props. I don’t think we could have done this version of the dragon back in the Goldstein.”

Our Prep Students' Dedication Overcomes the Storm

Despite snowstorms shifting the schedule and cutting into final rehearsals, the cast rallied to deliver a polished, energetic performance. Tabitha pointed out that the most rewarding part of theater isn’t just putting on a show—it’s growing together as a cast. “The best part is seeing how much we’ve improved from day one to now. It’s amazing to see the show come together, but also how we’ve grown as performers and as friends.”


And the excitement doesn’t stop here! GMC Prep has an exciting lineup of upcoming productions. Be sure to visit www.gmcticketsonline.com to see what’s next and reserve your seats today!


Thank you to everyone who made Shrek the Musical Jr. a success—students, faculty, staff, and the incredible GMC community. Together, we are keeping the arts alive and creating unforgettable memories! 🎭✨


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By Eric Jones • September 20, 2024
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